Three special events marked completion of the St Margaret’s College Chapel, which sits at the spiritual and physical heart of the school.

The College Chapel is the first Anglican church to be rebuilt since the Canterbury earthquakes. Eighty percent of the college campus was destroyed in the quakes, and for the past two years worship has been held in a marquee.

On Tuesday, 7 May, representatives of local Anglican parishes, church schools, the Cathedral and the school community joined with Bishop Victoria Matthews to dedicate the Chapel.

In the first act of worship, Bishop Victoria prayed: “We ask you to bless this Chapel where souls, hearts and minds will turn to you in thanksgiving and hope.”

On Monday, 13 May, Bishop Victoria joined the Governor-General, Lieut-General Sir Jerry Mateparae, donors and invited guests at the opening of the chapel–gymnasium complex.

The Governor-General noted that St Margaret’s College has been a part of Christchurch for over 100 years. “So the rebuilding of the college, like many other projects taking shape in Christchurch, is a fantastic symbol of the regenerative spirit of this city and the enduring character of its people,” Sir Jerry said.

“As a school founded on Christian values, the Chapel is fundamental to the spiritual principles that lie at its heart.”

The whole school marked the consecration on Tuesday, 11 June, with the first full Eucharist to be held in the Chapel.

After startling everyone inside the Chapel by knocking and calling “Let the doors be opened”, Bishop Victoria noted: “And because we know God’s love, and we know that God invites us to love each other, we build churches and chapels in which to worship God and rejoice in God’s love.

“Today we are setting aside this Chapel as God’s special space in the school.”

The Chapel will serve the wider community as well as the school.